Introduction

Fetal gastrointestinal and abdominal wall malformations are easily visualized by ultrasound and may be detected either during a second-trimester scan for anomalies or by chance during an examination for an unrelated indication, such as the evaluation of poor fetal growth, abnormal amniotic fluid volume (usually polyhydramnios), or an increased maternal serum α-fetoprotein (MSAFP). Increasingly these abnormalities are being detected on late firsttrimester scanning.

The most common gastrointestinal abnormalities detected antenatally are omphalocele, gastroschisis, and diaphragmatic hernia. The accuracy of ultrasound in such conditions is high, with a very low false-positive rate. Other malformations are less common and less frequently diagnosed by ultrasonography.

Following detection, the abnormality should be managed in consultation with a multidisciplinary team that provides consistent advice and treatment. Team members typically include an obstetrician with expertise in fetal medicine, a neonatal pediatrician, a pediatric surgeon, and others relevant to the case. The patient should meet with these people before delivery, either on an individual basis or in a group as needed. Parental informational needs vary with the stage in the diagnostic and treatment pathway, and those involved in counseling and management of the problem need to be aware of this.

Omphalocele (Exomphalos)

Video 18.1 Omphalocele 1

Video 18.2 Omphalocele 2

Video 18.3 Fetal megacystis and omphalocele

Video 18.4 Pentalogy of Cantrell

Video 18.5 Pentalogy of Cantrell with ectopia cordis

This is an extraembryonic hernia due to the arrest of ventral medial migration of the dermatomyotomes. Omphalocele occurs in between 1 in 2500 and 1 in 5000 pregnancies. “Physiological” herniation of abdominal contents into the base of the umbilical cord is normal up until around 11 weeks’ gestation (Figure 18.1) and must be distinguished from an omphalocele. Importantly, omphalocele is associated with other malformations 60–80% of the time, especially when the omphalocele is superior to the umbilicus. A particularly severe defect is termed the pentalogy of Cantrell, which consists of:

Overall, survival in babies with an omphalocele is poor, especially when associated with major cardiac abnormalities and aneuploidy.